The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu are a group of 9 stone monuments and archeological sites on the island of Okinawa. They are the remains of the ancient Ryukyu kingdom, which flourished between 1429 and 1609.The “Gusuku” were walled compounds, which over the 12th to 16th centuries evolved into forts and castles of local chieftains. They were both political and religious centres. Some are still used for traditional religious rituals such as nature worship.The uniq